Welcome to Daman,
Daman district is one of the two districts of the union territory of Daman on the western coastof India, surrounded by Valsad District of Gujarat state on the north, east and south and the Arabian Sea to the west. It is also famous for its beach, Portuguese colonial architecture, churches, and for the scenic beauty in the twin cities of Nani-Daman and Moti-Daman, which lie opposite each other across the Daman Ganga. The chief occupation has been fishing.
A laid back little town, Daman is divided by the Damanganga river. Nani Daman (or Little Daman) in the north and Moti Daman(or Big Daman) in the south which retains something of the Portuguese atmosphere in its Government buildings and churches of colonial origins enclosed within an imposing wall.
Chapel of Our Lady of Rosary
Against the fort wall is the Chapel of Our Lady of Rosary dating and glided wooden panels illustrate stories from the lives of the blessed saints. The ceiling features charming carved golden cherubs. The statue of Mary of Rosary was placed on the altar in thanksgiving by the Portuguese commander for rescue from a Maratha attack by Shivaji.Against the fort wall is the Chapel of Our Lady of Rosary dating and glided wooden panels illustrate stories from the lives of the blessed saints. The ceiling features charming carved golden cherubs. The statue of Mary of Rosary was placed on the altar in thanksgiving by the Portuguese commander for rescue from a Maratha attack by Shivaji.
Church of Bom Jesus
Started in 1559 but consecrated in 1603, the church of Bom Jesus was a parish church in the early days of the Portuguese rule. The monument is living tribute to the craftsmanship of Portuguese artisans in ornate and intricate design. The main feature of the church is its painted an gilt wooden altar reredos and pulpit. The richly carved main south door with the elevated facade, lofty ceiling, embellished with the statues of six saints are aesthetic and pleasing. Done in the best traditions of Roman Church art and architecture, the church dedicated to Bom Jesus attracts both, tourists and pilgrims, in large numbers.
Church of Our Lady of Angustias
The Church of Our Lady of Angustias built on the grave of Agostinho Xavier de Silva Vidigal is also a piece of master craft in wood built by Portuguese artists.
Daman Ganga Tourist Complex
Damanganga Tourist Complex is a unique project sure to mesmerize any tourist visiting Daman with its beauty, facilities and sheer size. The complex has cafeteria, cottages, conference hall, water falls, water sports, fountains and garden at one location.
Devka Beach
About 3 km north from Nani Daman, Devka Beach shoreline offers excellent recreation to the visitor. The ambience is serene and easy going. Walking the beach as the waves dance at your toes and the visual drama played out by nature with sea turning its colour and the sky mirroring each passing mood has always charmed the tourists. During low-tide, one can walk right into the sea and collect shells and various stones. The traveler can beat the summer heat by taking swim in the cool water of the sea but take precaution while bathing in sea as there are rocky formations beneath the water.
Dominican Monastery
One of the wonders of history is always the downfall of great empires and institutions. The Dominican Monastery which once served as the headquarters of theological studies and attracted catholic scholars round the globe just declined without any logical reason. The present day Daman Dominican Monastery represents these ruins.
However, the remains quite effectively relay the stories of its glorious past. 2nd February is the day when Catholics assemble gate to sing a litany. The mass held in honour of St. Dominic on third Sunday of every December is a moment to attend and remember.
House Of Bocage
At the entrance on the left side, almost attached to the Fort Gate is the modest dwelling where Bocage, an 18th Century Portuguese poet lived.
Jampore Beach
About 3 km south of Moti Daman, the Jompore Beach is sandy and safe for swimming, pleasant spot with casuarinas plantation on the sea shore, where one can commune with nature in sublime solitude. One can walk on the soft wet sand with golden tinge right into the sea during low tide. The beach line is broad and quite serene. The sea here is free from undercurrents and dangers. Horse riding is also available at Jampore Beach. Around Rs.40 for an autorickshaw from Moti Daman. The Fisherman’s Beach at sea face in Nani Daman, yet another popular place is also a good sandy beach.
Jetty Garden, Moti Daman
A beautifully designed riverside garden located at the bank of Damanganga river, Near Jetty, Moti Daman. With attractive fountain, fun rides for children, river faced seating and a cool green lawn the garden offers a joyful evening for all age groups.
Kadaiya Lake Garden
A Wholly man-made wonder offering a variety of cuisine, the restaurant excels in the panoramic view it has to offer. There is a lake surrounding the two islands connected by a bridge. Fountains and beautiful boats add to the remarkable greenery which meets the eye in every direction. Various interesting features like computer games, toy train make it a favorite family tourist spot. The Kadaiya Lake Garden is a famous tourist spot for shooting of many films.
Light House
The stately Light House is another popular site for tourists. The Light house is located within the Fort, and was constructed with a view to provide a ready guidance and bearing fix to all inbound and outbound sea traffic.
Mirasol Resort
The Mirasol Resort and Waterpark is a wholly man-made wonder where the visitor enjoys boating in the artificially created lake surrounding the two islands connected by bridge. Various interesting features like mini train ride, video games, machan like setting on tree tops, water slides, sumptuous food to make it a favourite family tourist spot. The brightly lit up fountains and the reflected lights during the night cast an amazing and magical spell on the tourist. The place has been the favourite for shooting of many a films because of its remarkable greenery and panoramic surrounding with well laid gardens and coconut tree cover.
Mirasol Water Park
Enjoy Go-Carting, Jumper-Boat, Striking Car and other Thrilling Rides at Mirasol Water Park situated within the Kadaiya Lake Garden.
Moti Daman Fort
Soon after the conquest of Daman in 1559 AD, construction of this massive fort started and lasted till the end of 16th century AD. It encompasses about 30,000 sq. m. with ten bastions and two gateways – southern (land) gate and the northern (sea) gate. The fort is protected by a moat on the land side and also connects the river to the sea. The main street inside the fort runs north – south and all along the inner wall there are barracks of defence personnel.
Nani Daman Fort
The small fort with high stone walls encloses an area of 12,250 sq. meters. It has three bastions and two gateways. The most conspicuous part of the Fort is the giant gateway facing the river with a large statue of St. Jerome and two giant human figures, on either side of the gateway. The imposing church of Our Lady of the Sea is the principal building within the Fort. Nani Daman Nani Daman offers some wonderful sites to the traveler : Gandhi Park near Nani Daman jetty, Nani Daman Fort and the church inside and the fishing jetty where boats are anchored to name a few.
Panikota Fort
If you ever wondered whether there existed any structure that could match the power and grandeur of the sea then a visit to the Fortress of Panikota is good enough to convince you the truth. This fort can be approached only by riding a boat. This superb structure of stone stands tall right in the sea opening of the creek
Though the fort stands away from the main land almost a Nautical mile, it still commands regular visitors and houses a light house and a Chapel of the “Our Lady of the Sea”. The fortress looks enchantingly inviting from the Diu jetty and is a must visit.
Pargola Garden
It is a monument raised in memory of the Portuguese soldiers who fell during the liberation up rising at Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It has the resemblance of the Pantheon at Athens. At the entrance on the left side, almost attached to the Fort Gate is the modest dwelling where Bocage, an 18th Century Portuguese poet lived.
Satya Sagar Udyan
If natural beauty has always enchanted the humans then he has not spared any efforts in competing with nature as far creating beauty and nature spots and landscaping. The Satya Sagar Udyan comes across as the fruits of efforts put in by a nature lover in trying to recreate the nature. The Udyan or Garden has colourful fountains and various shrub skirted promenades. The view and the effect of greenery is enchanting. The overall atmosphere is electric with various fountains and greenery beckoning the young and old alike.
The Satya Narayan Mandir is also located in the vicinity and is a must visit for the cleanliness that is maintained at the temple as well as the Garden.
St. Jerome Fort
On the north side of the Damanganga river, this fort in Nani Daman is named after St.Jerome, one of the most eminent fathers of the Catholic Church. Started in 1614 AD, after the Mughal Invasion, by the 12th Portuguese Viceroy of India, Dom Jeronimo de Azevado it got completed in the time of Dom Franciso de Gama in 1672 AD. The small fort with a giant gateway facing the river with a large statue of St.Jerome and two giant human figures, on either side of the gateway encloses an area of 12250 sq.m. The fort encloses a church. Our Lady of the Sea (now used as a school) and a cemetery. The view of the small fishing fleet which anchors alongside from the fort is interesting.
The Paryatan Bhavan
It was constructed in 1995 and inaugurated on 5-1-95. At present the office of tourism department and OIDC are situated at Paryatan Bhavan. Tourist Information Center is also situated at Paryatan Bhavan.
Vaibhav Water Park
An array of 36 thrilling rides in Vaibhav Waterpark surrounded by farms of mangoes, coconut and chikoos on tha Kanta Vapi road, about 7 km from Daman is another place for fun and adventure. An ideal place for family, the place offers non-stop excitement and good facilities.
Other Places
– Parsi Fire Temple, Tribal land of Saputara, Kevdi Beach, Governer’s Palace etc.
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